iPhone Air Returned the Air ... wanted to keep it. UPDATE: Bought it again!

[GDF]

This is why I decided to hold off on the Air. I use my wide angle enough on shots that I would miss if I didn’t have them. Every other facet of the Air was great for me. I am hoping next year they add an ultra wide and I’ll be all in.

Same, also use zoom quite a bit too, which is definitely worse on the Air. I could use my wife’s 17 PM in those situations, but there times when won’t be with her and want the better shot.

Still may keep Air, but leaning more towards keeping the 17 Pro.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Will never happen, you can’t cheat physics. It will never be on par with the Pro phones…

Exactly! A good lens needs lots of glasses/elements, which means, they would have to move the PCB board/internals to somewhere else, which then means thicker phone.

 

[ArchEtech]

Will never happen, you can’t cheat physics. It will never be on par with the Pro phones…

The Air will never have all of the Camera features; however, that's not what 99% of potential buyers are asking for. If the Air had more camera features, at or between the base and the pro, that would be the tipping point.

 

[Sandertje19]

he Air will never have all of the Camera features; however, that's not what 99% of potential buyers are asking for.

I suspect the Air2 will have wide angle lens en stereospeakers. If the rumors are true the base iPhone 17 is outselling all expectations. Imagine the extra profit if 50% of those buyers would have chosen the Air.

 

[ArchEtech]

I suspect the Air2 will have wide angle lens en stereospeakers. If the rumors are true the base iPhone 17 is outselling all expectations. Imagine the extra profit if 50% of those buyers would have chosen the Air.

The base 17 would be more than adequate for 99% of buyers probably.

 

[vvvvvv]

There is no middle of the road anymore. No matter what your pick, it ticks others off. No wonder the world is the way it is.

I blame boredom and a general lack of hobbies. It carries over. Rough reality.

 

[Sandertje19]

The base 17 would be more than adequate for 99% of buyers probably.

Correct. I ordered one due to the limitations of the Air. Would have payed pro price for an Air with hardware of the regular 17.

 

[aperfectcircle]

I suspect the Air2 will have wide angle lens en stereospeakers. If the rumors are true the base iPhone 17 is outselling all expectations. Imagine the extra profit if 50% of those buyers would have chosen the Air.

I reckon the stereo speakers are more likely than a second lens on the Air 2, though we might lose the USB port as a trade off. Be interesting to see what they do with the second gen. Maybe if they go with that newer battery tech it’ll allow them to free up more space for a second camera without having to make it thicker and drop battery life.

 

[trife]

Will never happen, you can’t cheat physics. It will never be on par with the Pro phones…

You're probably right. I guess at the very least give us an ultra wide. If Samsung can do it, so can Apple. If you have to add a touch of thickness to get it done, do it.

 

[nepalisherpa]

I reckon the stereo speakers are more likely than a second lens on the Air 2, though we might lose the USB port as a trade off. Be interesting to see what they do with the second gen. Maybe if they go with that newer battery tech it’ll allow them to free up more space for a second camera without having to make it thicker and drop battery life.

I know a lot of people hate the thought of this, but, Apple could have made Air port-less and used that space for a 2nd speaker.

 

[aperfectcircle]

I know a lot of people hate the thought of this, but, Apple could have made Air port-less and used that space for a 2nd speaker.

I would have been totally okay with that, though I’ve been charging via MagSafe stands for a few years now so the lack of USB wouldn’t bother me at all.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

If you have to add a touch of thickness to get it done, do it.

No thanks. Just get the Pro then if you are desperate for more cameras.

 

[SBruv]

Having switched from the 15PM to the Air on launch day, then to the 17PM a week ago for all the usual reasons, I've been umming and ahing as to whether I should have stuck with the Air… for all the usual reasons.

Weeeeell, having just gone into the Apple Store to directly compare the Air to the 17PM after a week with the latter, I'm completely happy with my decision. I know I'm in a minority, and I totally appreciate that it's all subjective, but to me, the Air really does feel kind of 'cheap' in the hand – almost too light, as absurd as that sounds. I actually really like the heft and density of the PM compared to the perceived flimsiness of the AIR (not to mention the bigger screen, bigger battery and better camera).

Also, with both phones on their in-store MagSafe chargers, the Air was incredibly hot all over the back, which seemed to have caused the screen to dim dramatically. The Brightness was at 100%, and all other settings were the same on both phones. Eek.

 

[vvvvvv]

No issues with heat on my Air at max brightness while outdoors in hot climates over the past week, and battery lasted me through the day with ease @ around 7-8 hours of SOT.

Some of these “what-if” comparisons are grounded nowhere near reality or normal use situations.

 

[noobinator]

I know a lot of people hate the thought of this, but, Apple could have made Air port-less and used that space for a 2nd speaker.

I think the biggest issue with it at this point is Carplay. Wireless carplay just became common recently so anyone with a car older than a year or 2 would be out of luck (without a third party solution).

 

[vacay]

Well I’ve returned my Air and got a deep blue 17 Pro. Loved the Air and it wasn’t an easy decision after using it for a week.

Guess I couldn’t live with the single camera as there’s been a few times I’ve wanted the ultra wide lens and extra zoom, especially for some portraits from a distance. The extra battery life will also be welcome.

Having held both now, the Air is definitely more premium and elegant and feels better in hand & just hits different with its thinness, I’ll miss that but have gained in other areas.

Function over form in my case. Big battle with head vs heart!

The 17 Pro isn’t an attractive device but I think a design change was overdue, this colour is the best out of the 3 IMO.

View attachment 2560259

What case are you going to use for it?

 

[trife]

I'm another former Air user that went to the 17 Pro. I love, love, love the Air for what it is--lightweight, thin and just a well made piece of kit. Battery life was fine for me. Speaker was clearly not great, but it was a non-issue, as I rarely use it. The cameras though--I thought I could get by for a year with just the one camera. Then I had a family gathering this weekend where I took a lot of pics, and it was then that I realized I had goofed. That ultra wide lens is just something I'm not willing to go a year without. For what it is, the Air camera is fantastic. And if all you ever had was a phone with a single lens, you would be over the moon with the Air. But it's hard to take something away and then act like it doesn't matter.

I've been a Pro Max guy since forever, but the slightly increased weight and girth of the 17PM kinda put me off this year. I got to toy around with my wife's 17 Pro some over the past week and really came to love the smaller but weighty form factor. One hand use is nice to have again, and while the Air did provide that, it was still somewhat of a stretch to make it happen.

When Apple brings the Air cameras up to par with the Pros, I'll 100% be back. That form factor is the future and I can't wait to have a svelte phone again. I already miss the Air, but the 17 Pro is just fine for my needs.

Returned the Pro. Hard to explain, but I could never get a comfy feeling in-hand with it. It’s solid as hell (in a good way), but just feels too heavy for the smaller footprint. Add that to the smaller screen size and it makes the 17 Pro the odd man out this year. The 17 Pro Max feels like it has better weight distribution compared to the Pro, almost negating the heavier weight.

Decisions, decisions…AGAIN. 🙃

 

[Not A Fanatic]

15 pro max, still works well, looks amazing in the blue titanium. 17 pro max soft scratch gate aluminium. Hmmm
Can I downgrade Function of the Pro Max for superior Form of the Air????? It seems like there is a lot of buyer remorse on the Air.

 

[maka344]

15 pro max, still works well, looks amazing in the blue titanium. 17 pro max soft scratch gate aluminium. Hmmm
Can I downgrade Function of the Pro Max for superior Form of the Air????? It seems like there is a lot of buyer remorse on the Air.

This is my take as well. I’m not taken on the durability of the new Pro’s.

 

[ArchEtech]

If the Air didn't have a green faded looking screen, I probably would keep it even with the shortcomings.

I have the Pro and the Air currently for another week if I want. The screen on the pro without the viewing angle issues is just so much better to look at. That was the tipping point on the Air for me, and I don't want to play the screen lottery.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Having both the 17 Pro & Air in my possession, the lighter Air definitely feels more premium in the hand IMO.

What did you end up with?!

 

[kulan]

If the Air didn't have a green faded looking screen, I probably would keep it even with the shortcomings.

I have the Pro and the Air currently for another week if I want. The screen on the pro without the viewing angle issues is just so much better to look at. That was the tipping point on the Air for me, and I don't want to play the screen lottery.

I got an Air with a G9Q first try. Lottery might be easier than you think

 

[James6s]

What did you end up with?!

This might be a shock… I returned the 17 Pro and now have the iPhone Air! 😀

The look & premium in hand feel are unmatched. It leaves the Pro in the dust in that regard.

Also I’ve already talked an out my carpel tunnel and hand surgery’s, the Air gave me no pain at all with my hand.

Despite its smaller footprint the 17 Pro just felt too bulky and heavy, also the Air’s larger screen is much nicer for how much better it feels in the hand.

Battery life was closer than I thought it would be for my usage case.

For me the Air is a much nicer device to use.

 

[aperfectcircle]

This might be a shock… I returned the 17 Pro and now have the iPhone Air! 😀

The look & premium in hand feel are unmatched. It leaves the Pro in the dust in that regard.

Also I’ve already talked an out my carpel tunnel and hand surgery’s, the Air gave me no pain at all with my hand.

Despite its smaller footprint the 17 Pro just felt too bulky and heavy, also the Air’s larger screen is much nicer for how much better it feels in the hand.

Battery life was closer than I thought it would be for my usage case.

For me the Air is a much nicer device to use.

Welcome back to the light side 😆

 

[James6s]

Welcome back to the light side 😆

Thank you. Nice to be back!

It’s not the original Air I got a few weeks ago, but exactly the same spec. Space black, 512gb.

I had noticed the first Air I got had a small gap between the top of the screen and the frame which was allowing dust etc to accumulate. New one is all good!